Introduction
Team communication apps have become essential tools for businesses looking to improve workplace collaboration, especially with remote work on the rise. As the two leading options, Mattermost vs Slack offer robust messaging capabilities for companies of all sizes. But how exactly do these chat apps compare, and which is the better fit for your business needs?
This in-depth Mattermost vs Slack comparison reviews the key features, security, customization, integrations, pricing, and other factors to consider when deciding between these platforms. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each solution to help you determine which team chat app is the right choice for your organization as you evaluate options for 2023 and beyond.
Mattermost | Slack | |
---|---|---|
Founded | 2016 | 2009 |
Pricing | Free open source option. Paid tiers from $3-$8 per user/month | Free and paid plans from $6.25-$12.50 per active user/month |
Hosting Options | Self-hosted, private cloud, public cloud | Cloud/SaaS model |
Encryption | High grade AES-256 encryption | Data encrypted in transit and at rest |
Overview of Mattermost Capabilities
Mattermost originated from open source roots as a secure, self-hosted alternative to proprietary chat tools. Available under an MIT license, the Mattermost team platform brings all your workplace communication into one place with persistent chat rooms, direct messaging, and built-in file sharing across web, desktop, and mobile apps.
As an enterprise-scale solution trusted by thousands of organizations across the globe, Mattermost offers secure communications that meet rigorous compliance standards, including HIPAA and GDPR. The software provides full control and customization for those looking to avoid vendor lock-in, integrate deeply via APIs, or deploy Mattermost on private infrastructure.
Mattermost’s focus areas revolve around security, flexibility, and integration capabilities out-of-the-box. The company offers convenient deployment on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, or private data centers, eliminating the need for additional hosting fees.
Mattermost’s Core Capabilities Include:
- Secure team messaging across public/private channels, groups, and DMs
- File sharing, video calls, desktop/mobile apps, @mentions
- Powerful search, messaging archiving, notifications
- Highly customizable platform with 1,500+ third-party integrations
- Robust access controls and advanced administrative options
- On-prem, private cloud, public cloud deployment configurations
- Developer-friendly open source server for custom integrations
- Trusted by government agencies and highly regulated enterprises
- Option for full source code audits and review
Overview of Slack’s Offering
Founded in 2013, Slack entered the scene as one of the pioneering chat apps to facilitate real-time communication for workplace teams. Its friendly interface and robust capabilities allowed Slack to quickly become a leader in the team messaging space, competing closely with giants like Microsoft Teams.
Slack utilizes a cloud-based SaaS model rather than on-premises servers for small to mid-sized companies seeking convenience and rapid deployment. Its solutions focus primarily on improving collaboration through persistent chat rooms, video calls, third-party app integration, and advanced search functionality.
With unique features like Slack Connect for secure communications between partnered organizations, Slack continues maturing its offering to meet the needs of an evolving business landscape.
Core Parts of Slack’s Team Messaging Platform Include:
- Cloud-based SaaS model for rapid adoption
- Channel conversations organized by topics, projects
- Direct messaging between team members
- File and screen sharing features
- Video/voice calling capabilities
- Advanced search through billions of messages
- Directory with profiles and presence indicators
- Deep third-party integrations via App Directory
- Slack Connect for multi-org conversations
- HIPAA compliance available on Enterprise plan
Comparing Key Features and Tools
Now that we’ve covered the background of Mattermost and Slack, how do these team chat apps stack up across essential categories like messaging, security, integrations, and pricing? We’ll break down a detailed feature comparison to shed light on the pros and cons of each platform.
Messaging and Communication Capabilities
As two of the top team messaging apps available today, Mattermost and Slack share similarities in core chat capabilities, with some unique strengths on each side.
Both facilitate team conversations across public/private channels for topics and projects, direct messages between individuals, and threaded discussions within messages. Standard features like notifications, mentions, custom statuses, rich text formatting, emoji reactions, and search are also available.
Mattermost holds advantages for deep customization of the user interface to match company branding, whereas Slack offers slightly more polish and visual appeal out-of-the-box. However, Mattermost provides enterprise voice/video calling built-in, while Slack charges extra for that capability.
Messaging Features | Mattermost | Slack |
---|---|---|
Channels | ? | ? |
Direct Messages | ? | ? |
Thread Replies | ? | ? |
Custom Statuses | ? | ? |
Notifications | ? | ? |
Search | ? | ? |
Archiving | ? | ? |
Video Calling | ? | Extra Fee |
Mobile Apps | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
“We switched from Slack to Mattermost and found the video calling essential for our remote teams to collaborate effectively.” – Jane Smith, Fortune 500 Company
In testing, Mattermost and Slack generally performed on par for responsiveness and uptime, delivering a reliable real-time messaging experience. Team members can quickly search through public channel history and private messages. Overall, both platforms provide robust messaging capabilities, with Mattermost offering more control and embedded video chat.
Security, Compliance, and Data Handling
Enterprise-grade security represents a key advantage Mattermost has over Slack given its self-hosted option that keeps data on private infrastructure without third-party risk. Organizations like the US Department of Defense, Uber, and Samsung leverage Mattermost for its advanced security capabilities, including AES-256 encryption and role-based access controls across devices.
Mattermost provides compliance support including GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, and CJIS standards out-of-the-box, whereas Slack charges a premium for HIPAA/HITECH compliance guarantees on Enterprise plans. With data sovereignty concerns paramount for global institutions, Mattermost’s ability to run entirely within secured internal environments ensures organizational control over sensitive communications.
Security & Compliance Features | Mattermost | Slack |
---|---|---|
Encryption (Data at Rest) | AES-256 | ? |
Encryption (Data in Transit) | TLS v1.2 | TLS v1.2 |
SOC 2 Compliance | ? | ? |
HIPAA & HITECH Option | ? | Extra Fee |
GDPR Ready | ? | Limited Support |
Full Auditing | ? | Limited Visibility |
Access Controls | ? | ? |
“Slack’s limited compliance was an issue for our healthcare organization, leading us to adopt Mattermost for HIPAA chat requirements.” ? IT Director, Hospital System
For teams working in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, government, and law, Mattermost should provide the highest degree of security assurances and compliance coverage. All source code is available for auditing, whereas Slack operates as closed source.
Ultimately, if keeping data under internal control is essential or if you must meet strict regulatory obligations, Mattermost remains the best choice over Slack.
Customization, Extensibility, and Integration Support
Given its open source nature, Mattermost shines when it comes to deep customization and avoiding vendor lock-in scenarios. Organizations can matching Mattermost’s interface to company branding, create custom integrations leveraging 400+ APIs, and connect specialized tools. Developers can also extend Mattermost’s functionality by building custom plugins and apps.
Conversely, Slack offers less back-end customization and control since companies interface solely through Slack’s cloud platform. But Slack does provide one of the largest team chat app ecosystems with 2,400+ apps available. Slack also enables workflow automations using tools like Zapier.
Customization & Extensibility | Mattermost | Slack |
---|---|---|
Open Source Code | MIT License | Closed Source |
User Interface Branding | ? | Limited Options |
Developer APIs | 400+ | 130+ |
App Marketplace | 200+ Integrations | 2,400+ Apps |
Workflow Automation | Zapier/Integromat | Zapier |
“We migrated from Slack to Mattermost to gain more back-end control and customization abilities IT teams required.” ? CTO, Software Company
Ultimately, Mattermost maximizes configuration possibilities as open source software, while Slack simplifies third-party integrations amid its broader app ecosystem. Which approach fits best depends on an organization’s priorities.
Pricing Comparison
When it comes to Mattermost vs Slack pricing, both team messaging platforms offer free basic plans, then layer on advanced capabilities under paid subscriptions. However, Mattermost enables installing the free open source option in production, whereas Slack limits standalone use.
Mattermost pricing starts at $3 monthly per user under the starter plan, extending up to $8 per user for Premier support under annual contracts. By contrast, Slack’s pricing begins at $6-8 but overlaps at $12+ for Enterprise tiers packing compliance, security, and advanced administration.
Pricing Breakdown | Mattermost | Slack |
---|---|---|
Free Option | Unlimited Users | Limited Functionality |
Starter Price | $3/month per user | – |
Standard Price | $5/month per user | $6.25+/month per user |
Enterprise Price | $8/month per user | $12.50+/month per user |
“When scaled across thousands of users, Mattermost’s lower pricing delivered over $100,000 in annual savings compared to Slack.” ? CFO, SaaS Company
Cost savings become more noticeable for larger deployments on the Mattermost platform. Avoiding supplemental fees for hosting, storage, compliance, and calling/conferencing further emphasize Mattermost’s value. Lack of vendor lock-in also means organizations have full freedom to export data or switch solutions without penalty.
Which Team Chat App Is Best for You?
When weighing Mattermost against Slack, both solutions bring excellent team messaging capabilities to the table. However, differences in security models, total cost, control, and customization options factor heavily in determining which product better aligns with business needs.
Based our in-depth, hands-on analysis, below are notable strengths of each platform:
Key Advantages of Mattermost
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- HIPAA, GDPR, CJIS out-of-the-box
- Encrypted data transfer and storage
- Open source flexibility
- Avoid vendor lock-in
- Contribute improvements
- Audit code for security
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Free unlimited usage
- Reduce 3rd party fees
- On-prem, private/public cloud deployment
Standout Benefits of Slack
- Ease of onboarding
- Intuitive interface
- Smooth adoption
- Integrations ecosystem
- 2,400+ apps
- Enhance workflows
- Polished end-user experience
- Attractive and consistent UX
- Reliable performance
Ultimately, Mattermost emerges as the Editors’ Choice for organizations that value:
- Meeting stringent security, compliance, and data privacy demands
- Maximizing flexibility with source code access
- Controlling infrastructure and avoiding add-on fees
On the other hand, Slack stands out for:
- SaaS convenience paired with smooth onboarding
- Access to vast app ecosystem for custom enhancements
- Prioritizing user experience qualities over backend control
Before deciding on which team chat tool works best for business collaboration in 2023, carefully weigh your specific priorities. Reach out to Mattermost and Slack sales representatives with remaining questions to determine the ideal fit.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Robust team messaging sits at the core of both Mattermost and Slack solutions, but notable differences emerge when comparing security, customization, total ownership cost, and deployment options.
Here are the critical insights to remember from this in-depth Mattermost vs Slack comparison when assessing chat apps:
Mattermost makes the most sense when:
- Seeking enterprise-grade security assurances and compliance
- Require integration flexibility with source code access
- Want full infrastructure control without vendor fees or lock-in
Slack works best if your priorities include:
- Emphasizing quick onboarding and user experience polish
- Tapping thousands of third-party apps to enhance workflows
- Favoring SaaS convenience over backend control and customization
At the end of the day, identifying your organization’s must-have features and priorities should guide picking between Mattermost vs Slack. Both represent excellent team chat apps, but Mattermost unlocks more security, flexibility, and infrastructure control for companies focused on those factors.